Done with his food, Marius can turn his attention fully to Rat now. Part of him wants to protest his own childish delight; he decides, for the moment, to hell with that part of him as he cheers and applauds Rat's performance. For a performance it is, that, even the childish influence on his mind can recognize. And he finds himself enjoying every second of it.

Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he registers that this might actually the most fun he's had as a child since before his mother died.

That in mind, he decides to make a request; a request that would only have been turned down or delegated back in Paris.

"Rat, will you read me a story?"